Sub-base, Landscape Garden installation

An insight to the daily life of a garden design and landscaping build up on a rear garden located in Cullompton, Exeter, Devon.

View previous day here

Day 4

Coffee.

18 ton Hi-ab grab

18 ton Hi-ab grab

Like clock work my 18 ton Hi-ab grab lorry arrives to remove the first load of landscaping sub soil and rubble from site to a licensed tip, this excess topsoil, sub soil and rubble will all be recycled and sold back to the trade.

12 ton Hi-ab grab lorry

12 ton Hi-ab grab lorry

Two hours later the second Hi-ab grab lorry arrives, this time we use a 12 ton lorry. Both the grab operator and I work together, he grabs and move the stock pile closer to his grab reach.

I have been able to set the laser up to dig level for the reflection pool area and grade off to the required falls and levels, I cannot have any excess material left as my first delivery has arrived consisting of the membrane, this lorry will return with 12 tons of 40mm hardcore material, so I have 2 hours to grade the remaining reflection pool area and membrane the entire project.

Membrane installation

Membrane installation

The membrane is installed to keep the sub-base material separate from the sub grade below and suppress weeds, a 400mm over lap has been applied to all joints and the entire geotextile fabric has been anchored down with 150mm pins.

12 tons of Sub base

12 tons of subbase

Right on cue the 40mm sub base is swung over the fence.

Again using my eye for a level I am able to cover the entire membrane with 100mm of sub base, as its late in the day I wont use the laser, I'm interested in covering the membrane for the night so the wind doesn't lift it all.

Groundworks sub-base

Ground works subbase

Again, I work in harmony with the grab operator to roughly cover the membrane, At a later date the sub base will cut to the required levels and falls.

Sub base installed

Subbase installed

More so at this time of the year the team and I work quickly to get to this stage, I now have a clean site, slopping around in mud makes a landscapers life harder than what it already is, all ducting, drainage and pool excavations will be undertaken at a later date.

Every day the garden will be kept tidy once we have completed our goals.

Tomorrows blog:

Concrete footings Landscaping a rear Garden

Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Vic 575 replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"I’m 35 years in now working for myself, well next month [February 2026] that is. I have been doing this work since 1985.
I will say what I always say. I have never advertised. Word of mouth has played a big part of course, but the key to gaining…"
3 hours ago
Jon Madden replied to Caroline Benge's discussion Jet washer recommendations
"Nilfisk if you want to stick with electric or Parker Brand have some decent budget petrol washers. Nilfisk used to use brass internals which were more robust than the plastic ones use by Karcher"
3 hours ago
Brookie replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"Hi Matt you could try putting your post on the largest landscape group on the net. Here Is a Link. I hope it helps https://www.facebook.com/groups/111972096145990"
11 hours ago
Distance replied to Dougie's discussion New roller mower
"I would 👍. Forgot to say also the plastic box is good. Easy to clean, no rotting fabric or tearing. "
11 hours ago
Alan McCrossin replied to Sam Bainbridge's discussion Moss brush advice
"Have used various brushes including westerman and kersten but id suggest looking at terrrazza. They are the most practical, we have two. Variety of brushes to choose from and they can be changed in secs"
15 hours ago
MF Hodgson replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"When I started out I got some business cards done, then looked on Google earth for nice areas and put the cards through the doors there. It helped that this was around the time of the Chelsea flower show, but people called and my name was passed…"
15 hours ago
Sam Bainbridge replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"My advice is try and mix contracts with private, contracts are pay.emts spread across the 12 months so if you do have a dip in other areas the contract payment still comes in even if you aren't working on that site.
I'm 15yrs in and a quiet time is…"
15 hours ago
Adam Woods replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"Agreed - you post the card in an area that has the right sort of properties.... always used to work with me. Far better than putting somethig on FB, and then being overun with time wasters"
16 hours ago
John F replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"Sometimes you can get results from just a simple post card on a customer  notice board in a post office , local shop or garden centre , very cost effective , often found personally  its right place ,right time ,right customer  , never had a time…"
16 hours ago
PGM replied to Caroline Benge's discussion Jet washer recommendations
"Have a look at Nilfisk too, worked well for us "
yesterday
PGM replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"I think so, you should appear in the listings and on the map if you have done one"
yesterday
Dougie replied to Dougie's discussion New roller mower
"Thanks for you comment i didnt actually look at the stihl version of roller i was looking at the weibang and hayter might have a look at the stihl"
yesterday
Caroline Benge replied to Caroline Benge's discussion Jet washer recommendations
"Thanks I'll take a look 👀 "
yesterday
Distance replied to Dougie's discussion New roller mower
"Personally, I love the Stihl RM655 RS. I have used it at various different jobs and now bought one of my own. Always jams the box absolutely full. And it does as good a job as any mower I've used in the wet. "
yesterday
Matthew Cartwright replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"Yes mate definitely. There is always like 100+ replies on Facebook posts near me. Facebook for me has turned into a load of crap that I don't want to see or of pages/ people I don't even follow. It was very good a few years ago though."
yesterday
Matthew Cartwright replied to Matthew Cartwright's discussion 10+ Years experience struggling to find work (Flexible)
"Thanks for the tip with estate agents, I will email some. I have been going to select locations and putting buisness cards in fancy holders. Once I get going this year I am aiming to have adds running (Just money that I can't put down for them…"
yesterday
More…